House budget proposal bad for state's economy

It wasn't too long ago when cars lined the streets in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Monroe, Shreveport and everywhere in between with the above slogan slapped on their bumpers.

Louisiana's economy was in shambles, and our sons and daughters were fleeing faster than one clever entrepreneur could crank out his now infamous stickers.

High tax rates and the oil bust were stifling economic growth and stunting job creation. Folks across Louisiana were fleeing the state they loved to go to Houston, Atlanta and Nashville out of necessity. There were no jobs and no prospects for the future.

Fast forward to 2013, and there's a secret plan being cooked up by some members in the House of Representatives that will set us back generations. If the House succeeds in passing the $1.3 billion job-killing tax increase some members are championing, we will be jeopardizing the gains we've made.

The old way of doing business in Louisiana wasn't working, so we set out to change course and entirely remake Louisiana's economy. Our vision included eliminating burdensome business taxes and regulations and revamping our workforce development programs so that we could cultivate a business-friendly environment where job creators would create opportunities for our people.

As we travel around the state visiting companies that are making huge investments in our economy and our people, I can definitively say that our hard work is paying off. Lower tax rates and a pro-growth, business-friendly environment have reaped great rewards for Louisianians in every corner of the state.

We are now one of only a handful of states that have more jobs now than at the beginning of the recession.

Louisiana has been among the top 10 states for private sector job growth since 2008, and our GDP has grown by $40 billion during that time.

Per capita personal income in Louisiana has increased by more than $3,600 over the last five years, and our per capita income rank has jumped 16 spots since 2000 to its highest ranking in more than 80 years.

And my favorite statistic of all: For the past five years in a row, more people are now moving into Louisiana than moving out, reversing a more than 20-year trend of folks fleeing our state instead of staying home or relocating here.

Take a trip around town now and you see bumper stickers with slogans like "I Heart Louisiana" and "I'd Rather be in Louisiana."

All of our progress is now in jeopardy. The plan presented by some members of the Legislature would result in job-killing tax increases to businesses and individuals across Louisiana. It breaks promises and will put jobs in jeopardy, threatening Louisiana's economic growth.

We cannot afford to turn back the clock. We have made great progress, and we have come too far. We want more people paying less taxes, not fewer people paying more taxes.

Louisiana's economic growth isn't just limited to the bumper sticker industry any more. Instead, the Pelican State has become one of the best places in the world to live, work and raise a family because of our commitment to manufacturing, the chemical and energy industries, and the rapidly growing software and IT fields.

In order to keep our economy growing, we presented a balanced budget that protects vital services without raising taxes. We want to keep the job numbers up and the unemployment rate down.

We want to keep GDP and per capita income on the upswing. Most importantly, we want to keep our sons and daughters right here at home so they can welcome new neighbors from other states in search of great opportunity. To do so, we must continue holding the line on taxes.

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House budget proposal bad for state's economy

It wasn't too long ago when cars lined the streets in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Monroe, Shreveport and everywhere in between with the above slogan slapped on their bumpers.

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